Why Medication Treatment is Not a Long-Term Solution to Addiction

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Why Medication Treatment is Not a Long-Term Solution to Addiction

Many addicts will turn to medication treatment to help them overcome their addiction.  However, this is not a permanent solution.  Drug and alcohol addiction and substance abuse, in general, is certainly a very concerning issue.   These desperate times call for desperate measures, and now a lot of families are scrambling to figure out what to do with their addicted loved one.

Consequences of Long-Term Medication Treatment

Severe addictions are treated with medications in some cases such as heroin or meth.  The treatment provides relief from withdrawals and many people remain on the drugs indefinitely, under medical supervision.  The long-term problem is the possibility of dependency or addiction to these medications.  Although the drugs don’t induce euphoria, many people abuse the drug regardless.

Addiction and substance abuse in the United States are prevalent today. Roughly one out of every three American families has someone within the extended family who is addicted to drugs or alcohol.  One out of every eight families has somebody in the immediate family who is addicted to a substance.  On an individual basis, one out of every five Americans knows someone personally who is addicted to drugs and alcohol.  Also, one out of every 10 Americans will be adversely affected by somebody who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. The statistics of these likelihoods are much higher than in the past.

Many families and addicted individuals alike are trying to figure out how to resolve the issues. The real question on everyone’s mind is which rehab program is the best and is rehab even necessary?  To answer the last question first, inpatient rehabilitation is necessary for lasting recovery.

Inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers are by far the most effective means for tackling an addiction. They always have been. The centers can get down to the bottom of both the physical and psychological reasons of why somebody turns to drugs and alcohol and can address them on a permanent level. No other approach to addiction treatment can do that.

Should I Go to a Rehab that Offers Drugs?

Unfortunately, many Americans get the idea that they can still take legal drugs while going through rehab. Unfortunately, medication treatment has its dangers.  Unless it is a medicine for a physical ailment or health concern, 99% of rehab centers insist that their clients go through detox before entering their program. The problem is that an addicted individual will substitute any drug if he or she is going through withdrawals. Tens of thousands of Americans become addicted to Suboxone and Methadone every year and end up being hooked on it as a replacement drug. This is simple physiology at work and biology in effect.

Rehabilitation facilities strive to provide clients the skills and knowledge needed to remain clean.  After that, the recovered individual can make decisions as to whether he or she wants to be on any drugs in the future. Given that there are many other methods for addressing mental issues and pain, it negates the need for legal medicinal products for any recovered addict.

Looking to the Future

Dealing with a crisis like a drug or alcohol addiction is potentially one of the most dramatic and physically and mentally dangerous and life-threatening experiences that any one individual will have.  Fortunately, there is help available other than medication treatment that will assist addicts to live a drug-free life.  Learn more about our treatment programs today by calling our toll-free number.

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